Sensory garden will provide ‘better life’ for residents

A SENSORY garden is being created at a care home in Horninglow, in the hope of improving the life of residents at the venue.

Abacus Care Home, on Rolleston Road, has already carried out some work on the garden, which staff hope will be an inviting and stimulating place for both its residents suffering with dementia and those who are more able.

They are hoping to boost funds to continue the work with a summer fair taking place next weekend.

Jeanette Bower, who works at the home, told the Mail: “We’ve put in raised bedding for the residents, so they can do some gardening if they want to, and we’re putting a level patio in.

“We’re trying to make it a nice area to give residents a better life.

“It will be a safe area for them, with lots of grass and a quiet area.”

Sensory gardens are normally provided for people suffering with a disability, to enable them to fully experience the garden when they otherwise might not have the chance to do so.

Sculptures, handrails and textured touch-pads are often part of the site.

A water feature has already been put in place at Abacus, along with benches. Curved paving will be put at the site, to reduce the risk of people falling over.

Special risk-free flowers and greenery will be put in place, which will not harm residents if they eat the leaves, and there will be plenty of grass to provide a more comfortable fall if residents lose their balance while outside.

The summer fair, next Saturday, July 12, will provide an opportunity to learn more about the garden.

Running from 2pm until 4.30pm, there will be stalls, a bouncy castle and games for children, as well as entertainment provided by Trevor Santini and his band.